Owner Bob Chandler Year created 1991 | Home city Pacific, Missouri Body style Ford F-Series | |
Driver(s) Dan Runte, Sky Hartley, Rick Long, Ron Bachman, Dave Harkey, Nigel Morris, Alan Hartsock, Eric Meagher, Lonny Childress, Keith Sturgeon, Shane Blair Transmission Ford C6 transmission, Abruzzi 2-Speed | ||
Snake Bite is an alternative name and identity used for Team Bigfoot trucks when two are scheduled at one event. The identity was initially created in 1991 to promote a Mattel Hot Wheels toy. Snake Bite was the first 3D character body monster truck.
Contents
History
Bigfoot #4 was rebuilt in 1990 after a crash in Nashville, Tennessee that destroyed the entire suspension and drivetrain of the truck. Bigfoot #4 received new wheels, suspension, and rear axle. The truck was rebuilt using a "hybrid" suspension that utilized nitrogen shock technology found in Bigfoot #8 and #9. After touring in early 1991, driver John Piant left Bigfoot, and Bigfoot #4's touring schedule was completed by Dan Runte and Gene Patterson. Prior to the start of the 1991 PENDA Points Series season, Bigfoot #4 was re-branded as Snake Bite. The Ford F-Series fiberglass truck body was replaced with a hand-sculpted 3D fiberglass body that made the hood, fender, grille, and portions of the doors resemble a red, yellow, and green venomous snake with fangs. Snake Bite debuted in April 1991 on the PENDA Points Series at the 6th Annual 4-Wheel and Off-Road Jamboree Spring Nationals held at the Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee. Gene Patterson drove Snake Bite under the persona of "Colt Cobra" hailing from the fictional town of "Cobra Creek, Colorado" and wore a red and yellow racing mask that resembled the design of the snake truck body. Other drivers of Snake Bite have used the "Colt Cobra," "Ricky Rattler," or "Vic Venom" personas.
During the 1991 PENDA Points Series 4-Wheel and Off-Road Jamboree Northern Nationals held at the Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove, Wisconsin, Snake Bite lost control, ran off the course, and demolished a shed. In Round One of side-by-side drag racing against Bear Foot, Snake Bite took a hard bounce off the second set of crushed cars, veered to a hard left through the water-filled barriers, and landed on a shed. No one was injured in the incident.
In 1992, Bigfoot #8 ran the Snake Bite body and finished second in the PENDA Points Series standings behind Bigfoot #10. In 1993, Bigfoot #10 was outfitted as Snake Bite. Snake Bite came in second place in the PENDA Points Series standings behind Bigfoot #11 in 1993 and 1994. Snake Bite was redesigned in 1996, changing from a primary red color to green. Bigfoot #15, racing as Snake Bite, won the 1997 PENDA Points Series Championship with driver Eric Meagher.
Snake Bite returned to a primary red color scheme in 2004. In 2009, the Snake Bite paint scheme was changed to red, black, and silver.
Present day
In November 2015, it was announced that Snake Bite would be returning to the monster truck competition circuit in 2016 for the 25th anniversary of the debut of the truck. The truck is designed in a "Retro Red" paint scheme that resembles the original 1991 design. Snake Bite will be driven by "Vinny Venom."